Chocolate Protein Smoothie
on Nov 01, 2021, Updated Jun 12, 2024
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This chocolate protein smoothie is my go-to when I need an easy breakfast to keep me satisfied throughout the morning 👊. It doesn’t hurt that it also satisfies my chocolate craving with minimal sugar 😏. Hemp seeds are the hero of this recipe 💪. They’re a plant-based powerhouse ingredient that pack in 10 grams of protein per 3 tablespoons. Sometimes, I make this without protein powder and let the hemp seeds fuel me. I highly recommend starting your day with this naturally sweet, high-protein, chocolatey treat 🌞!
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Chocolate 🍫 for breakfast? Every kid’s fantasy is now an adult reality! This protein-rich smoothie is high in plant-based protein, thanks to magical hemp seeds (no, not that kind of magical 😉), which keep you satisfied for hours. Bananas and fresh dates thicken up this beverage, so the texture is almost like a milkshake 😋.
How to Prepare Chocolate Protein Smoothie
🍫 Add the banana, milk, hemp seeds, cacao, protein powder (if using), and date to a blender. Then, blend until nice and smooth, about 1 minute.
🥤 You can refrigerate the smoothie or add ice to your glass. Enjoy and garnish with mini chocolate chips if you like.
Nonna’s Tip
The date is an optional ingredient, but it gives the smoothie a fudgy, thick texture that reminds me of a milkshake. You can find dates in the dried or fresh fruit section in the grocery store. I love Medjool for their caramel flavor.
Chocolate Protein Smoothie Variations and Substitutions
- To sweeten this up even more, add a small dash of maple 🍁 syrup or your sweetener of choice.
- Try any plant-based milk 🪴🥛 you like, such as oat, almond, soy, etc.
- Serving this to kids? Garnish with a few mini chocolate chips 🍫.
- In addition to or instead of hemp hearts, try chia seeds.
Similar Recipes
Chocolate Chia Pudding
4 hrs 4 mins
Healthy Chocolate Muffins
30 mins
Chocolate Covered Rice Cakes
35 mins
Best Served With
- A protein smoothie is perfect fuel pre- or post-workout or as a breakfast or snack on the go 🏃♂️.
- To make this a full, protein-heavy breakfast, serve with a Yogurt Bowl or Chia Pudding 🥣.
- Craving even more morning protein? Check out my Breakfast Casserole and Egg Bites.
Common Questions
Cacao powder is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa powder. It can be a bit more bitter than cocoa and usually contains zero sugar. It’s full of healthy minerals and antioxidants.
Yes, you can certainly make this with frozen or fresh bananas.
Hemp seeds are a plant-based protein, chock-full of healthy fats, protein, and minerals. They are from the hemp plant. They’re pretty mild but contribute a slight nutty flavor to the smoothie.
Yes, chia seeds are another great source of protein.
Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Equipment
- shaker bottle optional, for serving
Ingredients
- ¼ ripe banana, or more if you like
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cacao powder, or cocoa powder
- 1 scoop protein powder, optional
- ½ medjool date, pitted
- mini chocolate chips, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the banana, milk, hemp seeds, cacao, protein powder (if using), and date to a blender. Blend until nice and smooth, about 1 minute. You can refrigerate it or add ice to your glass. Enjoy and garnish with mini chocolate chips, if you like.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy and nutritious breakfast recipe! Perfect before my morning workout! LOVE!